Willem Bosma

Partner
Portret
E-mail bosma@feltz.nl
Phone number +31703131065
Mobile number +31625097135
LinkedIn View Linkedin

Willem’s practice includes advising and litigating for various parties within the areas of planning and environmental law and real estate law. He advises clients both from a legal as a strategic perspective in projects or transaction. Eventual civil and administrative litigation is second nature to Willem.

Willem specialises in spatial planning law, environmental law related to facilities (inrichtingen), REACH, substances of very high concern, land use policy, in particular expropriation, the Dutch Act on Preferential Rights of Municipalities (Wvg), long-term ground lease, and land exploitation, and energy law.


He acts on behalf of property developers, investors, businesses in the (chemical) industry, utility companies, and parties active in (sustainable) energy projects. His clients further include local and regional authorities, such as municipalities, provinces, and environmental services.


Because of his broad range of expertise and experience, Willem quickly perceives strategic interrelationships, making him the right sparring partner for his clients. Also, his clients value his practical solutions and unambiguous language. Not to mention his extensive knowledge of the market and of the relevant areas of law which enable him to get to the heart of the matter quickly, and to find the right solutions for his clients.


Willem is the author of books on planning and environmental law (VIND Omgevingszaken (Grondexploitatie)) and administrative law (VIND Bestuursrecht (Wvg)), and multiple Dutch law journals regularly publish his comments on court decisions. Additionally, Willem enjoys lecturing on various subjects related to his practice (inter alia long-term ground lease on account of the Berghauser Pont Academy, and on land exploitation for the Dutch Academy for the Practice of Law (Academie voor de Rechtspraktijk)). In 2012, Willem completed the Grotius Academy course on Environmental and Planning Law with honours.

Working in the sectors

Construction & Real Estate
Industry

Working in the areas of law

Spatial Planning and Environment
Construction and Real Estate

Experience

Advising

various project developers on natural gas-free building and construction;

Advising

Tata Steel regarding the emissions of dust and graphite, which are released during the handling of iron slags and have regularly spread to neighboring communities (Wijk aan Zee) and caused unrest under its inhabitants ("graphite rain"), thereby also causing much media attention;

Advising

both strategically and legally on various areas for development, including the areas of Wickevoort Haarlemmermeer and Koningsoord Berkel-Enschot in Tilburg, Noorderhaven in Zutphen, and Othene in Terneuzen;

Representing

the province of Zuid Holland concerning the environmental permits of Chemours/DuPont in Dordrecht related to the desired reduction in the exhaust of GenX;

Acting

on behalf of the Municipality of Dordrecht with regard to the establishment of the zoning plan “Zuidrand van Dubbeldam”. Pursuant to this zoning plan, the development of Belthure Park (a project consisting out of 220 houses and a golf course) Is no longer possible. The Judicial Division of the Council of State, has ruled that the Municipality was authorized to amend the existing zoning plan in favour of maintaining the green polder landscape.

Recommendations

Chambers Europe 2025

Public Law: Planning and Environment, Band 1

"Willem Bosma possesses a lot of in-depth knowledge and is very able to write this down in a practical way, taking our commercial interests into account excellently."

Chambers Europe 2025

Public Law: Planning and Environment, Band 1

"He is an outstanding environmental planning lawyer."

Chambers Europe 2025

Public Law: Planning and Environment, Band 1

"Willem Bosma is able to explain complex legal aspects in a calm and understandable manner. He can put himself in the client's shoes."

Chambers Europe 2025

Public Law: Planning and Environment, Band 1

"It is always a pleasure working with Willem Bosma. It feels like we are teaming up and he always knows how to hit the right tone of voice."

Chambers Europe 2025

Public Law: Planning and Environment, Band 1

"Willem Bosma is very personable and responsive."

Legal 500 2025 Environment and Planning (Tier 1)

 ‘Willem Bosma is truly at the top of his field. He always impresses me with his extensive knowledge and superb advisory skills, covering the full breadth of his field (spatial planning, environment, etc.). He advises sharply and strategically, seeks space where possible, and knows how to look at the matter from the perspective of the opposing party, due to his extensive experience with the market.‘ 

Legal 500 2025 Environment and Planning (Tier 1)

‘Willem and the team are able to provide pragmatic and solution oriented advice on complex environmental law related matters. Willem is experienced and an expert in the field of environmental law.'

Legal 500 2025 Environment and Planning (Tier 1)

‘Willem Bosma: very accessible, with extensive knowledge on a wide range of topics.'

Memberships

  • Visiting lecturer at Amnesty International
  • Member of the Dutch Association for Expropriation Lawyers
  • Member of the Dutch Association for Expropriation Law
  • Member of the Dutch Association for Construction Law
  • Member of VAR (Association for Administrative Law)
  • Member of the Dutch Association for Environmental Law